Major Characters
Jake Gittes.........................Jack Nicholson
A smart, tough and honest private detective who is asked to investigate
a married mans sexual affair (see below), but who soon becomes involved
in the investigation of that mans murder.
Hollis Mulwray......................Darrell Zwerling
The powerful, rich and honest engineer for the Los Angeles Department
of Water and Power, whose murder Jake tries to solve.
Evelyn Cross Mulwray................Faye Dunaway
The beautiful and mysterious wife of Hollis, who appears to want Jake
to help her solve Hollis murder, but who also clearly wants to keep
secret some important parts of her own life.
Noah Cross..........................John Huston
Evelyns very rich and powerful father, who was a business associate
of Hollis, who is convinced that Los Angeles will grow into the neighboring
San Fernando Valley, if the Valley gets enough water.
Lieutenant Lou Escobar...............Perry Lopez
The police officer who is responsible for investigating Hollis murder, who had
worked with Jake in Chinatown, years earlier, when Jake himself was a policeman.
Plot Summary
This film is the story of a private detective, Jake Gittes, who starts out investigating
a sexual affair, and ends up investigating a murder, and in the process, discovers a
world of lies and corruption in pre-war Los Angeles (LA). It takes place in 1937, when
LA was still a relatively small city in a big desert, but it was already growing fast,
and in fact the only thing that held its growth back was a lack of water to support
the increasing population. A key to LAs growth was the San Fernando Valley ("the Valley"),
today a huge suburb, but back in the 30s, a largely uninhabited area
populated mainly by orange groves and other farms.
At first, Gittes is contacted by a woman claiming to be the wife of Hollis Mulwray,
the powerful but honest head of the city water department who is opposed to building
a dam that he feels wouldnt be safe. This woman wants Jake to see if Hollis is having
an affair, but it soon turns out that this woman is not really Hollis wife, a fact that
Jake finds out when Hollis real wife, Evelyn Mulwray, shows up at his office. Jake
soon realizes that somebody is out to embarrass Hollis, and then when Hollis is found
dead, he is convinced that it was not an accident, but a murder.
For Jake, the suspects include Evelyn, who may have killed her husband out of jealousy,
and Noah Cross, Evelyns powerful father, who was once an business associate of Hollis,
but who now may have been trying to remove him from the scene in order move forward with
his plans to bring water and economic development to the Valley. Indeed, over the course
of the movie, Jake slowly discovers that some very powerful and corrupt people are
diverting water from the Valley so that its farmers are forced out of business, thus
allowing those same people to buy up the Valleys land at super cheap prices. In short,
Jake Gittes was investigating a strange affair and a possible homicide, but in the process,
he was discovering how the future of his city was being created, one murder, land sale and
bribe at a time.
A Brief Note: This movie is a work of fiction, with none of the characters based on any
real people. However, such topics as the control of water, suspicious real estate deals
and widespread corruption are clearly important topics in the general history of LAs
explosive growth.
Some Words and Expressions that You May not Know Jake meets a jealous wife, and begins the investigation of Hollis Mulwrays affair.
You cant eat the venetian blinds. I just had them installed on Wednesday.
"Venetian blinds" are window covers that are used for privacy.
"To install" blinds or other equipment is to set them up.
Down the hatch!
A slangy way of referring to the act of drinking ("Hatch" is
a very colloquial way of referring to a persons throat).
They dont pay the same for skipjack as they do for albacore.
Two types of fish (though the first one is very rarely used).
I dont want your last dime.
An American coin worth 10 cents.
These are my operatives and at some point theyre going to have to assist me.
A rare but interesting word for an agent or assistant.
Do you know the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie"?
A good little expression that is a way of saying that
you should not investigate something too carefully since
what you find out may cause more problems than it is worth.
This type of investigation can be hard on your pocketbook.
Jakes way of saying that investigations can be expensive
(A persons pocketbook is a wallet in which they carry money).
You can hop a streetcar, and within 25 miles,
end up smack in the Pacific Ocean.
"To hop" a bus is to get on it quickly. A "streetcar" is a type of
bus that drives on rails and is powered by electricity (They were
removed from LA streets in the 1940 and 50s).
You cant irrigate an orange grove with it.
"To irrigate" crops is to water them with pipes that are built for
that purpose. An "orange grove" is a farm filled with orange trees.
Without water, the dust will rise up and cover us as though we never existed.
This reflects the belief that the city of Los Angeles was
completely dependent on importing water for its survival.
Over 500 lives were lost when the Van de Lip damgave way.
A dam is a huge structure designed to hold water behind a large retaining wall.
If a dam "gives way," it breaks open and the water floods the area around it.
Core samples have shown that beneath this bedrock is shale
similar to the permeable shale in the Van de Lip disaster.
A sentence with a lot of geological vocabulary!: "Core samples" are small
samples of rock, "bedrock" and "shale" are types of rock found in the earth,
and if something is "permeable," this means that liquid or gas can penetrate
or move through it, usually in tiny holes within it.
It couldnt withstand that kind of pressure.
"To withstand" pressure is to be able to resist it
or stand up to it without breaking or collapsing.
Now you propose yet another dirt banked terminus dam with slopes of two and
a half to one...with 12,000 acre water surface. Well, it wont hold.
A "dirt banked terminus dam" is a type of dam (though only engineers
would really care how it is made). A "slope" is the angle or slant at
which something rises from a set point. An "acre" is a unit of land
measurement, about the size of a city block. If a dam cant "hold,"
it will break or collapse under pressure.
What the hell do you think youre doing?!
Get those goddamn things out of here!
"The hell" is filler added to WH questions to express emotion such as anger or
frustration, and "goddamn" is an adjective that also expresses that type of emotion.
You steal water from the valley, ruin the grazing, starve
the livestock; Whos paying you to do this, Mr. Mulwray?
In this film, "the valley" always refers to the San Fernando Valley, which is
now a suburb of LA. "To ruin" something is to destroy it. "Grazing" is the act
of cows eating grass, and "livestock" refers to farm animals such as cows and pigs.
Jeez, he was there all night.
A gentle filler word used to express surprise or other emotion.
Yesterday, he went to three reservoirs...and then drove to the Pign Whistle.
A "reservoir" is an artificial lake or huge container where water
is stored. "The Pig n Whistle" was a well known LA bar and restaurant.
The guy has got water on the brain.
A slangy way of saying that this person is always thinking about water.
They got into a terrific argument outside the Pign Whistle.
"Terrific" usually means fantastic or excellent,
though here it just means big or serious.
Let me explain something to you, Walsh.
This business requires a certain amount of finesse.
"Finesse" is an excellent word that means skill in
handling a delicate situation, or perhaps social refinement.
He found himself some cute little twist.
"Cute" is a key adjective meaning pretty or attractive in a childlike way
("Cute little twist" is Jakes way of saying a girl, but this is not used).
Theyre at Echo Park in a rowboat.
"Echo Park" is a well known area of LA. A "rowboat" is a small boat
in which people use wooden oars to row it forward through the water.
OK, pal, lets have us a big smile.
"Pal" is another word for friend, though it is
often used in a slangy manner to address anybody.
Department of Water and Power Blows Fuse! [Headline]
If a "fuse blows," the electrical device which controls electricity shuts
down, cutting off the electrical supply (In this headline, the implication
is that the Water Department did something terribly wrong).
When you get so much publicity, you got to get blasé about it.
"Publicity" is exposure or coverage in the media, especially newspapers
or television. To be "blasé" about something is to act as if it is not at
all important because it happens so often.
The heat is murder!
One way of saying that it is very hot outside.
You got a hell of a way to make a living!
:: And what do you do to make ends meet?
"Hell of a" is added to sentences to express emotion. "To make
ends meet" is to make enough money to pay your expenses.
Mortgage Department, First National Bank.
:: Did you foreclose on many families this week?
A "mortgage" is the money that a bank lends a person so they can buy
a house. If a bank "forecloses on" a person, they take away their house
because they are unable to make their monthly mortgage payment.
Who is this bimbo, Barney?
Today, a "bimbo" is a common slang word for a silly or
stupid female, though here, Jake uses it to refer to a man.
I dont kick families out of their houses like you bums down at the bank do.
A "bum" is a person who lives on the street without a home,
or more generally, a dirty, corrupt or unpleasant person.
I make an honest living!
A way of saying that you earn your money fairly or honestly.
Anyway, this guy who got tired of screwing his wife...
"To screw" is a very common and somewhat vulgar way
of saying to have sex (Jake is now telling a long and stupid joke).
First the Chinese screw a little bit and then stop...and read a little
Confucius and then screw a little more and then they go contemplate the moon ...
Conscious is a very important philosopher from ancient China.
"To contemplate" something is to think about it very seriously.
Now, his wife is getting sore.
Here, "sore" means angry, though it can also mean to be in pain.
He says "whats the matter with you? Youre screwing like a Chinaman."
"Chinaman" is a dated and racist way of referring to Chinese men.
Jake meets the REAL Mrs. Mulwray, continues his investigation, and starts to discover the politics of water.
Ive never hired you to do anything. Certainly not to spy on my husband.
"To spy on" a person is to secretly follow them and see what they
are doing, often in order to report back to another person.
Theres been some misunderstanding here;
Theres no point in getting tough with me.
"To get tough" with a person is to treat them very roughly or firmly.
May I ask what this is regarding? :: Its a personal matter.
In this context, "regard" functions as another word for about.
Gee whiz, and Im late.
A gentle and innocent way of expressing surprise or other emotion.
After youve worked with a man for a certain lengthof time, you come to know his habits, his values.
A "certain length of time" is one way of saying quite a while or
perhaps a relatively long time. A persons "values" refers to what they
most deeply believe in, such as honesty, kindness or equality.
Either hes the kind of man who chases after women or he isnt.
To "chase after" a woman is to try and
attract her, either romantically or sexually.
He never even kids about it.
"To kid about" something is to joke about it.
What are you doing here? :: They shut my water off; Whats it to you?
An interesting way of asking "Why do you care?"
Relax Mulvihill, glad to see you.
If a person is glad, they are happy or pleased.
Theres been some threats to blow up the city reservoirs.
A "threat" is a warning or implied intention
to hurt or harm somebody or something.
Its this damndraught. We rationed water
in the valley and the farmers are desperate.
"Damn" is a filler word to express anger or other emotion. A "draught" is a
lack of water caused by too little rain. "To ration" something is to limit the
amount any one person can use because there is a shortage.
When Mulvihill was Sheriff of Ventura County, the rum runners
landed tons of booze on the beach and they never lost a drop.
A "sheriff" is the head police officer of a county. Ventura County is the
county just north of Los Angeles County (A County is a political entity that
is usually much bigger than a city, and often includes a city and surrounding
countryside and towns). "Rum runners" were people who smuggled rum and other
liquor during the 1930s, when it was illegal in the US. A "ton" is 2,000 pounds,
or more generally, a lot, and "booze" is a very slangy word for liquor or alcohol.
Believe me, Mrs. Mulwray, whoever set your husband up set me up.
"To set up" a person is to fool them into believing something that is
not true, often so that they will so something stupid or even illegal.
LA is a small town people talk, I dont want to become a local joke.
Jakes way of saying that he doesnt want his reputation hurt by his doing
something stupid (in the 30s, LA was still a relatively small city).
Mr. Gittes, Youve talked me into it.
"To talk a person into" doing something is to convince them to do it.
Ill drop the lawsuit, so lets drop the whole thing.
"To drop" a lawsuit is to officially stop or discontinue it. More generally,
when people say "drop it," they want to stop talking about it.
I better talk to your husband about this. :: What on earth for?
Note that "better," which means "should," is the only adverb that functions
as a modal verb! "On earth" is a fascinating filler added to WH questions that
is used to express great emotion such as surprise.
Hollis seems to think youre an innocent man.
Here, note that "innocent" means naïve or uninformed.
Im not the one whos supposed to be caught with his pants down.
If a person has been "caught with their pants down," they find
themselves completely unprepared by what has suddenly happened.
May I speak frankly, Mrs. Mulwray? :: You may if you can, Mr. Gittes.
"To speak frankly" means to speak honestly (Note the clever response).
She was pretty, in a cheap sort of way, of course.
If a woman is pretty "in a cheap sort of way," this probably means she
probably wore a lot of make up, or even looked like a prostitute.
Its very personal, it couldnt be more personal.
:: Is this a business or obsession with you?
If something is "personal," it is considered private or intimate.
An "obsession" is something a person is constantly thinking about.
Lets look at it this way; Now, this phony broad---
excuse the language---she tells me shes you.
If a person is "phony," they are fake or are pretending to be somebody they
are not. A "broad" is a very dated and somewhat vulgar way to refer to a woman.
Whoever put her up to it doesnt have anything
against me; theyre after your husband.
"To put somebody up" to do something is to convince or even pay them to do it.
In this context, if a person is "after" someone, they are trying to hurt them.
I went riding rather early.
Here, to go "riding" is to go horseback riding.
Hollis Mulwray is found dead and Jake is convinced he was murdered, and in trying to find out who did it, he almost loses his nose.
Gittes, for Christs sake. :: Get outta here before he sees you.
"For Christs sake" is a way of expressing anger or frustration.
Note that "out of" ----> "outta" in rapid speech.
How are you? :: Lousy cold I cant seem to shake.
"Lousy" is a good word for bad or awful.
"To shake" a cold is to get rid of it.
You look like youve done well by yourself. :: I get by.
In a financial context, "to do well by yourself" is to be reasonably
successful, and to "get by" means to survive fairly well.
You going through other peoples linen?
"To go through peoples linen" is to try and find out secrets
about them (Linen is another word for clothes or cloth).
You still putting Chinamen in jail for spitting in the laundry?
A reference to the fact that when Jake worked as a police detective
in Chinatown, he would enforce local business laws and regulations.
Im out of Chinatown since I made lieutenant.
A "lieutenant" is a high rank or level in the
police (It is also used in the military).
Looks like he was washed down the entire length of the runoff channel.
A "runoff channel" is a tunnel or cement path where extra water runs or
is dumped if it cannot be used (Here, they are talking about a body, that
was apparently carried down the entire channel by the water).
The fall must have knocked him unconscious.
A "fall" is the act of tripping or falling down. "To knock a person
unconscious" is to hit them so hard that they lose consciousness
(so they look as if they were asleep or dead).
Mrs. Mulwray, this allegedaffair your husband was having...
If something is "alleged," it is reported to have happened, but it is
not clear that it actually did happen. In this case, an "affair" is a
secret romantic or sexual relationship.
...the publicity didnt make him morose or unhappy?
"Morose" is a good word meaning depressed, gloomy or unhappy.
Mrs. Mulwray, do you happen to know
the name of the young lady in question.
This is a stylistic way of saying "the woman we are talking about."
We quarreled over her, of course. It came as a complete surprise to me.
"To quarrel" over something is to argue about it.
I thought you hired a private investigator.
"To hire" a person is to pay them to work. A private detective is
a person who investigates things such as sexual affairs and crimes.
I did that because I thought I would put an
end to a ridiculous rumor that had no basis.
A "rumor" is a piece of news that people are talking about
that may or may not be true, that has no known source. If a rumor
has "no basis," there is no real reason to think that it is true.
When did he inform you that these rumors had some foundation in fact?
"To inform" a person about something is to let them know about it.
If a rumor has a "foundation in fact," there is a logical reason
to think that it may be true.
Just before the stories broke in the papers, Lou.
If a story or piece of news "breaks" in the papers (or other
media), it is reported to the public for the first time.
You have my deepest sympathy.
A formal way of telling a person that you are terribly
sorry after somebody close to them has died.
Ill see her to the car. Ill be right back.
"To see" a person to a place is to physically accompany or escort
them there. Note that in the immediate future, the contracted form of
"I +will" is always used (Dont say "I will be " or "I am going to be ").
Jake, come on, whats the story?
An excellent way of asking a person whats happening or what
the details are of an evolving or developing situation.
Take it easy, guys. Let us get through.
"Take it easy" is a common way of telling a person to relax.
To physically "get through" a group of people or other
type of blockage is to walk past or around them.
I thought Id drop by and see who dropped dead lately.
To "drop by" a persons house is to go there, often without calling, just
because you are already in the neighborhood. If a person "drops dead," they
suddenly and unexpectedly die.
Isnt this something? Middle of a draught and
the water commissioner drowns. Only in LA!
A "draught" is a shortage of water because there has not been enough rain.
If a person "drowns," they die from being unable to breath because they
are under water. "Only in LA" is a colloquial way of saying "this is so
strange it could only happen in LA!"
He looks pretty banged up. :: Its a long fall.
If a person is "banged up," they have a lot of bruises or other
injuries after having fallen or been physically attacked.
Leon Shuhart, local drunk. Used to hangaround Fergesons Ally. Quite a character.
If a person is a "local drunk," he is known around the local area as
being a drunk who probably lives in the streets. To "hang around" a place
is to pass a lot of time there (In this case at Fergesons Ally, which is
a bar). If a person is described as "quite a character," they are seen as
being colorful or interesting, but not always in a good way.
Lately hes been living in one downtown storm drain.
An underground cement tunnel where rain water goes.
He had a bureau dresser down there, and everything.
A "bureau dresser" is a piece of furniture for storing clothes.
He drowned, too. :: Come again?
An interesting way of asking a person to repeat what
they just said if you didnt understand the first time.
He got drunk, passed out in the bottom of the riverbed.
"To pass out" is to lose consciousness, from drinking too much or perhaps
being hit hard on the head. A "river bed" is the land on which a river runs.
Its dry as a bone.
A cliché meaning there is no water.
He aint exactly going to drown in a riverbed, no matter how soused he is.
"Aint" is very poor grammar for the negative conjugation of "to be." In this
case, you should say "isnt." If a person is "soused," they are drunk, though
this is a fairly rare and dated word.
Howdy.
A common way of saying hi or hello.
Son of a bitch! Goddamn Florsheim shoes!
"Son of a bitch" is an insult word for a mean or abusive person,
or in this case, just a way of expressing anger or frustration.
Hold it there, Kitty Kat!
"Hold it" is one of saying dont move, or stop.
Hello, Claude. Where did you get the midget?
An abnormally short person, usually under four feet tall.
Youre a very nosyfellow, huh?
If a person is "nosy," they are always looking into the personal
lives of others. A "fellow" is another word for a guy.
So some contractor wants to build a dam and he makes
a few payoffs. So what? Think you can nail Mulvihill?
A "contractor" is a businessman who builds houses and other buildings.
A "payoff" is a bribe or the giving of money for an illegal or corrupt
favor. "So what?" is one way of asking "So why is that important?" In this
case, "to nail" a person is to catch them doing something and then to
punish them for it.
Hell claim you were trespassing.
"To trespass" on a persons property is to enter
it illegally, or without permission from the owner.
I want the big boys that are making the payoffs.
This is Jakes way of saying he wants to catch the rich and powerful
people who are responsible for the corruption, and not just the less
important people who work for them.
Then what do you do? :: Suethe shit out of them.
"To sue" a person is to file a lawsuit against them in court, usually in
the hopes of getting money from them. "The shit out of" is a vulgar but not
uncommon filler expression that adds emotion to the sentence.
Sue people like that? Theyre liable to be
having dinner with the judges trying the suit.
If a person is "liable to" be doing something, they are likely to be doing it.
The sentence above suggests that there is so much corruption in LA that even
the judges would be bought off by the criminals.
Hello, Miss Sessions, I dont believe weve had the pleasure.
This is Jakes way of saying he doesnt believe
that they have already met each other.
Are you alone? :: Isnt everyone?
Jakes response is a clever way of saying he thinks everybody is lonely.
Shut the fuck up!
A more vulgar, but not uncommon version of shut up.
Beg your pardon?
One common way of asking "What did you say?"
The point is, if it ever comes out, I want somebody
to know that I didnt know what would happen.
If a piece of news "comes out," it becomes
known to the general public or a lot of people.
Maybe we can talk this over. :: No, Mr. Gittes,
just look at the obituary column of todays Post-Record.
An "obituary column" is a daily newspapers list of people who have
recently died in the local community (The Post-Record is a newspaper).
How do you like them apples?
A wonderful but very old-fashioned expression in the form of a question, which is
used when you expect the listener to be surprised or angry or perhaps amazed.
"Water Board Issue Passes Council" [Headline]
In this case, an "issue" is a tax proposal to pay for a public project,
and the Council refers to the City Council, which passes local laws.
Tom Collins with lime.
A popular alcoholic drink.
The money is fine, its generous, but I think
you shortchanged me on the story.
"To shortchange" a person is to give them less then they are owed
(It usually refers to money, but here Jake is saying he thinks
Mrs. Mulwray is not telling him the whole truth).
You were upset, but not that upset.
An important word meaning angry, worried or unhappy.
You sue me, your husband dies, you drop the suit like a hot potato, all of it quicker than the wind from a ducks ass.
"To drop something like a hot potato" is to discontinue it very quickly.
"Quicker than the wind from a ducks ass" is a never used and very vulgar
but colorful way of saying very fast (It refers to a duck farting).
This could look like you paid me off to withhold evidence.
"To pay a person off" is to pay them to do something illegal or immoral.
"To withhold evidence" is to keep information secret that could effect
the outcome of a trial.
Look, I do matrimonial work, its my metier.
"Matrimonial" is an adjective that refers to marriage,
and "metier" is an educated word for profession or work.
When a wife tells me shes happy that her husband is
cheating on her, it runs contrary to my experience.
If a husband "cheats on" his wife, he is probably having a sexual affair
with another woman. If something "runs contrary to your experience," it is
what you would not expect given what you have seen before.
I wouldnt run home and tell him every time I
went to bed with someone, if thats what you mean.
"To go to bed with" a person is to have sex with them.
I didnt want publicity, I didnt want to get into any of this, then or now.
In this case, "to get into" something means to become involved in it.
Thats your maiden name?
A womans "maiden name" is the family name that she had before she got married.
You must have had a reason to ask me that. :: No, Im just a snoop.
A "snoop" is a person who is always looking into other peoples personal lives.
A waterlogged drunks in the morgue, involuntarymanslaughter if anybody wants to take the trouble.
If something is "waterlogged," it is soaked or weighed down with lots of
water. A "morgue" is a place where dead bodies are stored, and "involuntary
manslaughter" is a legal term referring to the accidental but criminally
negligent (careless) killing of a person.
It seems like half the city is trying to cover it all up, which is fine by me.
"To cover up" something illegal is to try and hide it from the public.
Jake meets Noah (Evelyns father), and soon discovers that the San Fernando Valley has a lot of dry and desperate farms, and some curious people who want to buy all the Valleys land.
Its my lunch hour; I can wait. :: Hes liable to be tied upindefinitely.
If a person is "liable to" do something, they are likely to do it. If a person
is "tied up," they are busy doing something else. "Indefinitely" means for as
long as long as is necessary, or perhaps even forever.
How did they get it away from him? :: Mr.
Mulwray felt the public should own the water.
"To get something away from" a person is to take, steal or remove it from them.
Yes, they were partners.
In this case, "partners" refers to business partners, or associates
(Jake and the secretary are talking about Evelyns father and husband).
These staff meetings, they just go on and on.
A "staff meeting" is a meeting for members of a business or other
organizations staff, which generally means the people who work there.
If a meeting "goes on and on," it lasts a very long time.
It must be especially tough to take over under these circumstances.
In this case, "tough" means difficult. "Circumstances"
are the details of a particular situation.
Hollis was the best department chief the citys ever had.
A "department chief" is the head of a particular department or division
within an organization (Here, the Department of Water and Power).
My goodness, what happened to your nose?
An innocent little way to start a sentence and express surprise or shock.
That must really smart. :: Only when I breath.
"To smart," interesting enough, is a verb that means to hurt!
He had a reputation that was hard to get around. You decided to ruin it.
"To get around" your own reputation is to avoid it or make people not pay
attention to it. "To ruin" something is to completely destroy it.
Then he found you were dumping water at night, and then he
was drowned. :: Mr. Gittes, thats an outrageousaccusation!
If something is "outrageous," it is so ridiculous or scandalous that it
cant be believed. An "accusation" is an official charge or declaration of
wrongdoing on the part of another person.
Mr. Gittes, were not anxious for this to get around, but we have been
diverting a little water to irrigate orange groves in the Northwest Valley.
In this context, "anxious" means hopeful for something to happen.
If a piece of information "gets around," it becomes known by the general
public. "To divert" water is to force it to go in a different direction that
it was going (Here, supposedly from the city to the farms in the Valley,
though in fact, water is simply being diverted from the Valley to the ocean
in order to drive the farms out of business).
The farmers have no legal right to our water, but weve been
trying to help some of them out, keep them from going under.
If a company (or farm) "goes under," it goes out of
business because it can no longer pay its bills.
Naturally, when you divert water, theres a little runoff.
"Runoff" is extra water that spills over from a stream or river.
My field men are out; I cant give you the exact location.
People who work out in the fields, or in this case, the farms,
taking measurements and writing reports on what they see.
I dont want to nail you; I want to find out who put you up to it.
In this case, "to nail" a person is to catch them doing something wrong
and then to make sure they are punished for it. "To put up" somebody to do
something wrong is to pay them or convince them to do it.
Maybe we can put the whole thing off on a few
big shots and you can stay head of the department.
In this case, "to put something off on" somebody is to blame them
for it. A "big shot" is a common phrase for a very important person.
$35 a day for myself and $20 to my associates
plus expenses plus a bonus if I show results.
A "bonus" is an extra payment for a job well done.
Sophie, draw up one of our standard contracts for Mrs. Mulwray.
"To draw up" a contract or other writing is to type it or copy it.
If something is "standard," it is typical, or the type most often used.
I was just out of grade school when they did that.
This is grades one through six, or approximately ages five to 13.
Hollis felt that the water should belong to the
public and I dont think that my father felt that way.
This is Evelyns way of explaining that her father and husband had very
different ideas about who should own the water for the city.
Hollis never forgave him for what? :: For talking him into building it.
"To talk a person into" doing something is to convince them to do it.
You got a nasty reputation, Mr. Gittes. I like that.
"Nasty" is an interesting adjective meaning dirty or very
unpleasant, though here it is actually used as a compliment.
In your business, its good advertising. Its why
you attracted a client like my daughter.
A "client" is a customer or a person who pays for the services of
a professional such as a lawyer, or in this case , private detective.
Im surprised youre still working for her,
unless shes come up with another husband.
"To come up with" something is to obtain, produce or create it.
I hope you dont mind. I like to serve it with the head.
If a person "doesnt mind" something, they are not bothered or annoyed by it.
Whos the investigating officer? :: Lou Escobar.
An "investigating officer" is the policeman responsible
for investigating or researching the details of a crime.
Would you call him a capable man?
An excellent word for a person who has the
talent or skill to accomplish what they need to.
Honest? :: As far as it goes. Of course, he
has to swim in the same water we all do.
This is Jakes way of saying that Escobar is probably mostly honest, though he
works in an environment where most people are at least a little corrupt.
Youve no reason to think hes bungled the case?
"To bungle" a case or criminal investigation is to do it
poorly, or in a way that may cause problems in the future.
It disturbs me. It makes me think youre taking mydaughter for a ride. Financially speaking, of course.
"To disturb" a person is to bother them, or in this case, to make them feel
uncomfortable. In this context, "to take a person for a ride" is to manipulate
them or cheat them out of a lot of money.
What are you charging her? :: My usual fee.
A detectives "usual fee" is the price they normally charge their clients.
Are you sleeping with her? Come, come, Mr. Gittes,
you dont have to think about that to remember.
"To sleep with" a person is to have sex with them.
"Come, come" is a way of telling a person to be serious.
Youre dealing with a disturbed woman who just
lost her husband. I dont want her taken advantage of.
Here, to be "dealing with" a person is to be involved with them. "To take
advantage of" a person is to manipulate or use them for personal benefit.
Its what the district attorney used to tell me in Chinatown; Politicians,
ugly buildings and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.
A "district attorney" is a lawyer for the local city or county that tries
criminals in court. A "whore" is a vulgar word for a prostitute.
Sheriffs gold posse. Bunch of damn fools. They
paid $5,000 a piece towards the sheriffs reelection.
A sheriffs "posse" is a group of people that support him, and help maintain the peace
in an emergency. Note that in some cities, sheriffs are elected, just like politicians.
Do you remember the last time you saw
Mulwray? :: At my age, you tend to forget.
If a person "tends to" do something, they do it often or easily.
I happen to know that Hollis was fond of her.
If a person is "fond of" somebody, they like or have affectionate feelings for them.
Hollis Mulwray made this city and he made a fortune.
This is Noahs way of saying that Hollis was a critical person in the history of LA.
I still got a few teeth left in my head and a few friends left in town
Noahs way of saying he is not yet that old or stupid.
Are you frightened for the girl or what Evelyn might do to her?
"Frightened" is another word for scared or afraid.
Ill look into it, as soon as Ive checked out some orange groves.
In this case, "to check out" something is to examine or study it.
I was wondering if you could tell me where the Plat books for
the Northwest Valley are. :: Part of it is in Ventura County.
A "plat book" is a book containing official land and real estate records.
Ventura County is the county immediately North of LA County.
We dont have Ventura County in our hall of records.
A "hall of records" is a government office that keeps
official records such as land sales or public health data.
Weasel.
A small funny looking animal, or an insult word for a weak or nerdy looking guy.
Say,...Sonny, why do they have all these names pasted in the plat books?
:: Land sales out of escrow are always recorded within the week.
"Say" is a way of starting a sentence when the speaker wants the person they
are speaking with to listen carefully. "Sonny" is a possible way to address a
younger person. "Escrow" is a legal word for the time between when a person agrees
to buy a house and the money is actually given to the seller of the house.
Can I check one of these volumes out?
"To check out" a book from a library is to borrow it.
Have you got a ruler? The print is real
fine and Id like to be able to read across.
A "ruler" is a straight edge for drawing straight lines and measuring
small distances. In this case, "fine" means very small.
Why, thank you.
An interesting way of starting a sentence to express
emotion such as surprise, or here, appreciation.
Keep Out, No Trespassing [Sign]
"To trespass" on property is to enter it secretly or illegally.
Hold it right there!
One way of saying Stop!
Search the man; See if hes armed.
If a person is "armed," they have a gun or other weapon on them.
Pick on somebody your own size!
A cliché which tells the listener to stop threatening or
harassing people that are weaker or smaller than they are.
Cut that out! Give the man a chance to say something!
An excellent expression which means "Stop it!"
The water departments been sending people out here to blow up
my water tanks, and they put poison down three of my wells.
"To blow up" something is to explode or destroy it. A "water tank"
is a large container for holding lots of water, and a "well" is an
underground hole, pit or tube which holds water.
Mulwray? Thats the son-of-a-bitch whose done it to us.
A vulgar insult for a mean or abusive person.
You dont know what youre talking about, you dumb Okie.
A no longer used insult for a poor person from the state of Oklahoma.
Mrs. Mulwray continues to help Jake find the killer and the truth, but he cant help thinking that she knows more than she admits.
That dam is a con job.
A "con job" is any work or group of lies that
fools people or tricks them out of their money.
Theyre conning LA into building it, but the water
isnt going to LA. Its coming right here. :: To the Valley?
"To con" a person is to trick or fool them.
Robert Knox has bought 5,000 acres.
A unit of measurement for land, about the size of a small city block.
Theyre blowing farmers off of their land and then picking it up for peanuts.
In this case, "to blow a person off" their land is to force them off,
and "to pick up land for peanuts" is to buy it for an extremely low price.
You have any idea what this land would be worth with a steady water supply?
"Steady" is consistent or stable.
A memorial service was held for Jasper
LeMar Crabbe. He passed away two weeks ago.
A "memorial service" is a tribute to a person who has died.
"To pass away" is a common and gentle way of saying to die.
Can I help you folks?
"Folks" is another way of saying people, or in the right context, parents.
Its dad. I cant seem to handle him anymore.
In this case, "to handle" a person is to take care of them.
Im anxious for him to have the best, and money is no object.
Here, "anxious" means seriously hoping. "Money is no object" is a common
expression (among the rich!) that means it is unimportant how expensive
something is, because any price can be paid.
Do you accept people of the Jewish persuasion?
In this case, a persons "persuasion" is their religion or
possibly ethnicity, though this word is rarely if ever used today.
We never reveal the names of our guests. Its a matter of policy.
"To reveal" a name is to make it public or known. If something is
"a matter of policy," it is part of the general laws or goals that
an organization follows.
Would you mind if we took a stroll on our own?
:: Just if you confine yourself to the main building.
A "stroll" is an old-fashioned but still used word for a walk.
"To confine yourself" to a particular place is to physically stay within it.
Youre looking at the owners of a 50,000 acreempire.
An "acre" is a unit of measurement for land, and an "empire" is
a large area of land (or many lands) controlled by a central power.
Emma, did you know that youre a very wealthy woman?
A good alternative word for rich or financially well-off.
Where did you get this piece of material? :: At the Albacore club.
"Material" is any type of physical matter, from cloth to rock.
Were an unofficial charity of theirs, Mr. Gittes.
A "charity" is an organization that is given money by the public for
a particular goal, such as helping poor people or the environment.
The maids night off. :: Why?
If a worker has "a day off," they dont have to work that specific day.
No question from you is innocent, Mr. Gittes.
In this case, "innocent" means naïve or perhaps childlike.
To you, Mrs. Mulwray.
If a person raises a glass while saying "To you," they are saluting
you or your accomplishments, or more specifically, offering a toast.
If this is how you go about your work, Id say
youd be lucky to get through a whole day.
"To go about" doing something is to do it in a particular
way."To get through" a day is to survive it.
Do you have any peroxide or anything like that?
A type of medicine that kills germs and cleanses wounds or injuries.
Its a nasty cut!
A good word meaning dirty, mean or disgusting,
though here it means serious or intense.
Theres something back in the green part of your eye. :: Its a flaw in the iris.
A "flaw" is a small defect or imperfection, and the "iris" is a part of the eye.
Its sort of a birthmark.
A type of freckle, mole or scar on the skin that is present from birth.
Must have looked cute in blue.
This is Evelyns way of saying Jake must have been attractive
when he was a policeman and wore a blue uniform.
Give me a break, will ya?
"Give me a break" is a good expression which means "Be serious and stop
saying nonsense." Note that "you"------> "ya" in rapid speech.
Why does it bother you to talk about it?
If something "bothers" you, it distracts you or makes you unhappy.
I was trying to keep someone from being hurt;
I ended up making sure that she was hurt.
To "end up" doing something is to finish by doing or being a
certain way, often after considering doing or being something else.
Are you trying to tell me that he might be behind all this?
If a person is "behind" a crime, they are the person responsible for it.
Come on, Mrs. Mulwray. Youve got your husbands girlfriend tied up there.
"Come on" is the most versatile phrasal verb in English, meaning everything
from "hurry up" to, as here, "be serious and stop saying nonsense." If a person
is "tied up," a piece of rope or string is tied around them to prevent them
from moving.
It looks like she knows more than you want her to tell. :: Youre insane.
"Insane" is a powerful adjective meaning crazy or psychotic.
I would never have harmed Hollis. He was the most gentle, decent man imaginable.
In this context, "decent" means ethical or having good morals.
He put up with more from me than youll ever know.
"To put up" with something is to accept it and
learn to live with it, even if it is very unpleasant.
Somebody slammed a bedroom window on it? :: Nope, your
wife got excited and she crossed her legs a little too quick.
"To slam" a door or window is to shut it quickly and very forcefully.
"Nope" is a slangy way of saying no. If a person "crosses their legs,"
they put one leg over the other (Often as a way of being polite).
Understand what I mean, pal?
A colloquial word for friend, but often used
by some individuals to address people in general.
This broad hired you, not Evelyn Mulwray.
A very dated and silly word for a woman.
Somebody wanted to shake Mulwray down, she hired you.
Thats how come you found out he was murdered.
"To shake down" a person is to threaten them, often by forcing them to pay money
or do something they dont want to do. "How come" is a common way of saying "why."
Who the hell do you think youre dealing with? A bunch of assholes?
"The hell" is added to WH questions to express emotion such as anger.
"To deal with" a person is to get involved with them. A "bunch" is a
group or small number, and an "asshole" is a vulgar insult word for a
jerk, ass, creep, idiot, etc.
It was Evelyn Mulwray and shes been paying you off like a slouch ever since.
A "slouch" is a lazy, incompetent or awkward person.
You accusing me of extortion? :: Absolutely.
"Extortion" is the criminal act of threatening to hurt
somebody unless they do what you want them to do.
Youre dumber than you think I think you are.
"Dumb" is another word for stupid. This is a very clever line.
I wouldnt extort a nickel from my worst enemy; Thats where I draw the line.
A "nickel" is a coin that is worth five cents. "To draw the line" is to set
a limit, often involving behavior, which you decide you will not pass.
Were talking about accessory after the fact,
conspiracy, and extortion, minimum.
"Accessory after the fact" is a legal term that refers to those actions
which help a criminal, after the actual crime has already taken place.
"Conspiracy" is the planning of a crime by two or more people.
Evelyn Mulwray knocked off her husband in the ocean and then dragged
him to the reservoir because she thought it would look more like an accident?
"To knock off" a person is a slangy way of saying to kill them.
"To drag" a person is to pull them on the ground, though here
it more generally means just to transport or take.
He found out they were dumping water there;
Thats what they were trying to cover up.
Here, "to dump" water is to quickly get rid of it, and "to cover up"
something is to try and hide it or keep it secret from the public.
Come on, Lou, youre in charge. Make a decision.
If a person is "in charge," they are the ones
responsible for what happens in an organization.
He says Gittes knows this and hes been going around
making irresponsible accusations all last week.
An "accusation" is an official charge or declaration
that somebody is doing something wrong or illegal.
Lets swear out a warrant for her arrest; What the hell are we waiting for?
A "warrant for a persons arrest" is an official document signed by a judge
that allows the police to arrest a person for a crime (To "swear out" a warrant
is to ask a judge for it, but this is no longer used).
He just made lieutenant; He wants to hold on to his little gold bar.
This is Jakes way of saying Escobar is trying to keep the power
he has now that he is high up in the police department.
Ive got you right now for withholding evidence.
"To withhold evidence" is to try and keep secret any facts or objects
that could be used to prove the truth in a criminal trial (Escobar is
saying he has enough evidence to charge Jake with withholding evidence,
which is itself a crime).
Jake learns a terrible truth about Mrs. Mulwray, and some things that are even worse about her very powerful father...
Saltwater very bad for glass.
Note that the Asian gardener is saying glass, although what he
really means to say is grass (This is a mispronunciation that is
most associated with Japanese speakers of ESL).
You know any good criminal lawyers?
A criminal lawyer is one who specializes in defending people who are
accused of a crime (A lawyer who works for the county and defends poor
people is called a public defender).
Theyre expensive, but you can afford it.
To be able to "afford" something is to have enough
money to pay for it and not feel uncomfortable doing it.
I found them in your backyard in the pond.
A "pond" is a small body of water.
The coroners report shows that he had saltwater
in his lungs when he was killed. Take my word for it.
A "coroner" is a person who deals with dead bodies and analyzes
the cause of death (They write brief reports for each body or corpse).
"Take my word for it" is another way of saying "Trust me."
I want to know before Escobar gets here
because I dont want to lose my license.
Note that detectives, like doctors and lawyers, need an official
license from the state in order to practice their profession.
This is the craziest, most insane thing!
Another word for crazy, or in this case, completely ridiculous.
His girl is a witness. You had to shut her up.
A "witness" is a person who has seen something take place, and
who is often called to officially say what they saw in a court of law.
You dont have the guts to harm her, but you
got the money to keep her mouth shut.
If a person has the "guts" to do something, they have the courage
to do it (Literally, guts are stomach intestines). "To harm" a person
is to physically or emotionally hurt them.
Who is she? And dont give me that crap
about a sister because you dont have a sister.
"Crap" is a vulgar word for excrement or shit, or more generally,
as here, nonsense or lies (A good alternative to bullshit).
For Gods sake, keep her upstairs. Go back!
A common way to express emotion such as frustration,
or possibly an emotional way of saying please.
Understand? Or is it too tough for you?
In this case, "tough" is a good alternative to difficult.
I ran away. Hollis came and took care of me.
If a child (or wife) "runs away from home," they often leave in anger
for days or more, usually causing great worry back at their house.
You better just get out of here. Leave all this stuff here.
An important word for things in general.
He didnt wear bifocals.
An educated word for reading glasses.
Listen pal, Escobar is going to try and book me in about 5 minutes.
"To book" a person is a colloquial way of saying to
arrest them for having allegedly committed a crime.
What the hell is the matter?
A slangy way of asking "Whats wrong?"
Jesus, thats in Chinatown, isnt it?
The world-famous religious figure, of course, and a
common way to express emotion such as anger or surprise.
Looks like were both too late. She flew the coop.
A dated way of saying to leave quickly or escape.
She went to her maids house. She knows somethings up.
If you say "something is up," you are saying something
important is probably happening, but its not clear what.
If she aint there, youre going downtown and
youre going to stay there until she does show up.
"Aint" is a common but very incorrect conjugation of "to be" (Here, you
should say isnt). "To show up" is to arrive, often unexpectedly.
Just sitting down to supper. Care to join us?
"Supper" is a somewhat dated word for dinner. Note that the next sentence
is very elliptical, dropping the "Would you" at the beginning.
Wheres that? :: In the garage, off the alley.
In this case, "off" is a preposition that means next to, or by. An "alley"
is a narrow road that is often found between houses or other buildings.
Curly, can you give me a ride somewhere?
"To give a person a ride" is to transport them in your car.
How would you like to pay me off by
taking a couple of passengers to Ensenada?
In this case, "to pay off" a person is to pay a debt that is owed by doing
a favor (instead of paying it in cash). Ensenada is a small town in Mexico.
I might be able to squeeze 75 bucks out of it for you.
"To squeeze several dollars out of it" is to manage to get that much money together,
even if it is difficult. A "buck" is an extremely common word for a dollar.
Plus what I owe? :: Ill throw that in, too.
"To throw in" an extra something into a deal is to include it.
Ive got the girls. Do you remember the figures weve discussed?
In this context, "figures" are numbers (to be paid for services).
Well, you dont look too much the worse for wear, Mr. Gittes.
If a person "looks the worse for wear," they look bad or tire
because of all the difficulties they have experienced.
What is it? An obituary column.
A list of people who have just died, found in the daily newspaper.
Can you see alright in this light? :: I guess I can manage.
In this case, "to manage" is to get by or survive OK.
Hollis was always fascinated by tide ponds.
If a person is "fascinated by" something, they are very interested in it.
"Tide ponds" are puddles of water on the beach that form after the tide
comes in every day (The tide is the daily rising and lowering of ocean
water on the beach or coast).
You know what he used to say? :: I havent the faintest idea.
If a person doesnt have "the faintest idea," they do not know at all.
Thats where life begins. The sloughs, tide pools.
A "slough" is a very muddy area or small, muddy river.
He figured if you dumped water into the desert sand and
let it percolate down to the bedrock, it would stay there...
"To figure" is a colloquial and common way of saying to think.
"To percolate" is to pass through a substance with tiny holes.
"Bedrock" is a type of hard rock found in the earth.
...instead of evaporate the way it does in most reservoirs.
If a liquid "evaporates," it turns into vapor or steam after being heated.
When the bond issue passes Tuesday, theyll be
$8,000,000 to build an aqueduct to the reservoir.
A "bond issue" is the raising of money through the selling of bonds
that is passed by local voters (A bond is a loan from a business or
government). An "aqueduct" is a canal for carrying a lot of water.
Theyll be a lot of irate citizens when they find out
theyre paying for water theyre not going to get.
A person who is "irate" is extremely angry.
You see, Mr. Gittes, you bring the water
to LA., or you bring LA to the water.
This is Noahs way of saying that the city of
LA will soon expand into the San Fernando Valley.
How are you going to do that? :: By incorporating the Valley into the city.
"To incorporate" an area into a city is to legally make it part of that city.
How much are you worth? :: I have no idea.
This question is the simplest way to ask a
person the value of everything that they own.
I want the only girl Ive got left. As you found out,
Evelyn was lost to me a long time ago.
This is Noahs way of saying he no longer has any relationship with Evelyn.
Most people never have to face the fact that at the right
time and the right place, theyre capable of anything.
"To face" something is to accept it or deal with it seriously. If a
person is "capable" of doing something, they have the ability to do it.
Mr. Cross, these are my associates.
Another word for work partners.
Youre under arrest, Jake. Withholdingevidence, extortion, accessory after the fact.
Three serious crimes: Hiding facts or information that could be used
in a trial, threatening to harm somebody if they do not do what you
tell them, and assisting criminals who have already committed a crime.
This is Evelyns father; Hes the bird youre after.
Here, a "bird" is a person, but this word is rarely if ever used that way.
Hes rich! He thinks he can get away with anything!
"To get away with" something illegal is to do it without
being caught or punished for having done it.
If you dont shut up, Ill lock you to the wheel of that car.
"To lock" a person to something is to chain or tie them to it.
Evelyn, youre a disturbed woman and you cannot provide
If a person is "disturbed," they are emotionally upset or unstable.
Let the police handle this. :: He owns the police!
The second sentence is Evelyns way of saying
both how corrupt and powerful her father is.
Halt!
A dramatic way of saying "Stop!"
Turn them all loose!
"To turn a person loose" is to let them go free.
Clear the area! On the sidewalk!
When the police "clear" a place, they force people to leave it
.

ChinatownSome Potential Questions for ESL Class Discussion

1. Is Jake an admirable character? Is he cool?
2. Would you want to be a private detective?
3. How much corruption is there in the city where you live?
4. What were the various crimes and revelations
that were the most shocking about this film?
5. Whats your impression of LA today?
6. Were you disappointed by the ending?
7. What did you like and dislike about this movie?